Constraints perceived by the field extension functionaries of Dairy Development Department, Kerala

Abstract

The study was conducted in Kerala state in 2021–2022, with the objective of identifying the constraints related to effective role performance as perceived by the Field Extension Functionaries (FEFs) of the Dairy Development Department (DDD). Through non-proportionate stratified random sampling, a sample of 120 FEFs was chosen, of whom 60 were Dairy Extension Officers (DEOs) and 60 were Dairy Farm Instructors (DFIs). The study found that inadequate infrastructure facilities and lack of transport facilities were the major physical constraints perceived by the respondents. Among organisational constraints, inadequate staff strength and heavy administrative work were cited as the major constraints. The most significant technological constraints perceived were inadequate knowledge about dairy innovations among the farmers and lack of technical support for implementing schemes. Inadequate budget allocation for programme execution and lack of monitoring and evaluation of schemes were the major managerial constraints. Under communication constraints, weak research-extension-farmer linkage, and lack of feedback from farmers were perceived as the major ones.